The city of Phoenix is working to own, not lease, their libraries.
Phoenix City Council on Wednesday authorized the city manager to purchase the property of the Cholla Library, 10050 N. Metro Parkway E., which the city has leased for nearly half a century.
The move comes after similar discussions in recent months around Yucca Library, at 15th and Montebello avenues. While the city continues to lease that library for now, council directed staff to explore the possibility of repurposing land at a nearby park-and-ride to build a new library on the city owned property there instead of continuing to invest in library upgrades on leased property.
Children pose for a photo during a Halloween “Babytime” event a the Cholla Library, 10050 N. Metro Parkway E.
(Courtesy city of Phoenix)
Owning the Cholla Library won’t require building a new library, as Phoenix plans to buy the property from the current owner, identified only as CPLC LLC, located in Delaware, on Maricopa County Assessor documents.
“By purchasing this property outright, we’re securing the community asset in perpetuity while eliminating ongoing lease obligations, said Vice Mayor Ann O’Brien during the Aug. 27 council meeting.
O’Brien represents Phoenix’s District 1, which contains the library. She said the library has a special place in her heart because it is the library she grew up going to.
“I have fond memories of browsing the shelves as a young child and feeling like a big kid when I moved onto chapter books. Cholla is where I spent time in high school doing research and homework, and I’m excited that we as a city recognize its importance and impact on people of all ages,” O’Brien said.
City officials did not mention an anticipated price for the property. The Maricopa County Assessor’s office lists the 30,003-square-foot parcel’s 2025 full cash value as $1.28 million and the limited property value as $873,511. The parcel sold to the current owner in 2006 for $208,421, according to the county assessor.
The exterior of the Cholla Library, 10050 N. Metro Parkway E.
(Courtesy city of Phoenix)
Phoenix opened the library in 1977 and expanded the location in 1990.
The acquisition is particularly significant, O’Brien said, because it is next to the former Metrocenter mall, which is being redeveloped into a mixed-use project called The Metropolitan.
“By owning this property, we secure Cholla Library’s role in the neighborhood’s renaissance while ensuring our public investment compliments the surrounding development,” O’Brien said.
We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Mark Carlisle can be reached at mcarlisle@iniusa.org.
Mark Carlisle joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, covering Glendale. He has since moved to the Daily Independent team, primarily covering the city of Phoenix along with other topics affecting the Valley at-large.
Community: Mark enjoys taking his two young sons to parks, the Phoenix Zoo, the Phoenix Public Library and other fun events around the Valley. He also participates in a local book club.
Education: Chapman University with a BA in English Journalism and one in Screenwriting.
Random Fact: Mark worked at a tuxedo shop in college. Just don’t ask him to tie a bowtie.
Hobbies: Spending time with his wife, sons and dog, watching sports and TV shows, listening to audiobooks and occasionally writing fiction or designing a board game.
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